§2.9.1subito cum mihi dixisset Caecilius quaestor puerum se Romam mittere, haec scripsi raptim, ut tuos elicerem mirificos cum Publio dialogos, cum eos de quibus scribis, tum illum quem abdis et ais longum esse quae ad ea responderis perscribere; illum vero qui nondum habitus est, quem illa βοῶπισ, cum e Solonio redierit, ad te est relatura, sic velim putes, nihil hoc posse mihi esse iucundius.
Since the quaestor Caecilius suddenly told me that he was sending a boy to Rome, I wrote this in haste, so that I might elicit your wonderful dialogues with Publius—both those about which you write, and that one which you keep back and say it is a long story to write out what you replied to them; but as for that one which has not yet been held, which that ox-eyed lady, when she returns from Solonium, is going to report to you, I would have you believe that nothing could be more pleasant to me.
si vero quae de me pacta sunt ea non servantur, in caelo sum, ut sciat hic noster Hierosolymarius traductor ad plebem quam bonam meis putissimis orationibus gratiam rettulerit.
But if what has been agreed about me is not kept, I am in heaven, so that this Jerusalemite of ours, the transferrer to the plebs, may know what a fine return of gratitude he has made for my most genuine speeches.
quarum exspecta divinam παλινῳδίαν.
Expect a divine palinode of them.
etenim quantum coniectura auguramur, si erit nebulo iste cum his dynastis in gratia, non modo de cynico consulari sed ne de istis quidem piscinarum Tritonibus poterit se iactare.
For indeed, as far as we can divine by conjecture, if that rascal is in favor with these dynasts, he will not be able to boast, I do not say over a cynical consular, but not even over those Tritons of the fish-ponds.
non enim poterimus ulla esse invidia spoliati opibus et illa senatoria potentia.
For we shall not be able to be objects of any envy, stripped as we are of resources and that senatorial power.
sin autem ab iis dissentiet, erit absurdum in nos invehi.
But if he disagrees with them, it will be absurd for him to rail against us.
verum tamen invehatur.
Let him rail, however.
festive, mihi crede, et minore sonitu quam putaram, orbis hic in re publica est conversus citius omnino quam potuit; †id culpa Catonis, sed rursus improbitate istorum qui auspicia, qui Aeliam legem, qui Iuniam et Liciniam, qui Caeciliam et Didiam neglexerunt, qui omnia remedia rei publicae effuderunt, qui regna qui praedia tetrarchis, qui immanis pecunias paucis dederunt.
Believe me, this wheel in the state has turned quite prettily, and with less noise than I had expected, faster altogether than it could have; partly by the fault of Cato, but again by the wickedness of those who have neglected the auspices, the Aelian law, the Junian and Licinian, the Caecilian and Didia, who have thrown away all the remedies of the republic, who have given kingdoms and estates to tetrarchs, and immense sums of money to a few.
§2.9.2video iam quo invidia transeat et ubi sit habitatura.
I see now where envy is passing and where it will dwell.
nihil me existimaris neque usu neque a Theophrasto didicisse, nisi brevi tempore desiderari nostra illa tempora videris.
You may think that I have learned nothing either from experience or from Theophrastus, if you do not see in a short time that our famous times are regretted.
etenim si fuit invidiosa senatus potentia, cum ea non ad populum sed ad tris homines immoderatos redacta sit, quid iam censes fore? proinde isti licet faciant quos volent consules, tribunos pl.
For indeed, if the power of the senate was a source of envy, when it has been reduced not to the people but to three moderate-less men, what do you think will happen now?
, denique etiam Vatini strumam sacerdoti διβάφῳ vestiant, videbis brevi tempore magnos non modo eos qui nihil titubarunt sed etiam illum ipsum qui peccavit Catonem.
Therefore, let them make whom they wish consuls and tribunes of the plebs, and let them even clothe the wen of Vatinius in the double-dyed robe of a priest; you will see in a short time that not only those who have not faltered at all, but even that very Cato who has erred, will be great.
§2.9.3nam nos quidem, si per istum tuum a sodalem Publium licebit, σοφιστεύειν cogitamus, si ille †cogitat tantum†, dumtaxat nos defendere, et, quod est proprium artis huius, ἐπαγγέλλομαι
"
ἄνδρ' ἀπαμύνεσθαι ὅτε τισ πρότεροσ χαλεπήνῃ
"
patria propitia sit.
For our part indeed, if it is permitted by that comrade of yours, Publius, we are thinking of playing the sophist; if he only thinks of defending us, at least, and as is peculiar to this art, I profess "to avenge myself on a man when he is the first to do me wrong," may the fatherland be propitious.
habet a nobis, etiam si non plus quam debitum est, plus certe quam postulatum est.
It has from us, if not more than is due, certainly more than was demanded.
male vehi malo alio gubernante quam tam ingratis vectoribus bene gubernare.
I prefer to be carried badly while another is steering than to steer well with such ungrateful passengers.
sed haec coram commodius.
But these things are more convenient in person.
§2.9.4nunc audi quod quaeris.
Now hear what you ask.
Antium me ex Formiano recipere cogito a. d. v Nonas Maias; Antio volo Nonis Maiis proficisci in Tusculanum.
I think of betaking myself from the Formian villa to Antium on the fifth day before the Nones of May; from Antium I wish to set out for the Tusculan villa on the Nones of May.
sed cum e Formiano rediero (ibi esse usque ad pr. K. Maias volo), faciam statim te certiorem.
But when I return from the Formian villa (where I wish to be until the day before the Kalends of May), I will let you know at once.
Terentia tibi salutem, καὶ Κικέρων ὁ μικρὸς ἀσπάζεται Τίτον τὸν Ἀθηναῖον.
Terentia sends you greetings, and little Cicero greets Titus the Athenian.